Pre-Travel Checklist: The Best Way to Prepare for a Trip for every Hong Kongers

30/07/2019

Travelling to new and exciting places can be an advantageous experience, but it can also be a seriously daunting one. Without significant travel preparation and research, it is nearly impossible to have a successful vacation. However, there is a tried and true method to vacation planning that millions of people implement every year with excellent results. So if you too want to have the trip of your dreams, follow this simple travel checklist!

Step 1: Research and Planning

One of the essential steps in any travel preparation checklist is to plan your trip correctly. There are a variety of factors to consider when thinking about planning, but there are a few that stand out as the most important.

I. Picking a Destination

Picking a destination is the single most crucial step for any travel preparation, as the location will determine costs, flight and hotel availability, and the types of activities available. It is crucial to pick a destination which you are personally passionate about, but is also within your budget range, has a wide selection of flights and hotels available, and provides plenty of fun activities for you and whoever you decide to bring along!

II. Purchasing Hotels and Flights

This is often one of the most stressful steps in travel preparation since it involves large sums of money and ties you down to the specific dates you choose. Luckily, smart business owners have realised this too, and there are now tons of online websites and services which streamline the hotel and flight booking process for you. You can now Google your flight or hotel destination and find hundreds of results to compare. Make sure you consider the number of people you are travelling with, and the number of stops and any hidden fees for airlines (such as baggage fees).

III. Planning Activities

Once you arrive at your destination, you are going to want to have things to do! Whether you are going on a relaxing vacation or an intense adventure, activities will make up the bulk of your trip. Similar to your hotel and flight booking experience, there are numerous websites with location-specific activities available to browse with pricing and booking information that can be found with a simple Google search. Additionally, you can contact your hotel via phone or email to find out if they have any exclusive offers on activities of any kind.

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Step 2: Packing

When preparing for any trip there are tons of factors to consider when deciding what to bring. Any good travel checklist will include a list of the essentials, and this list is no different.

I. Clothing

Clothing choices will vary greatly depending on the location and nature of your trip. There are a few important things to consider when narrowing down your clothing options. Is it a trip for work or leisure? Will you be attending any events such as weddings or parties? What is the weather like in your destination? Is it hot or cold? Rainy or sunny? No matter what your answer, packing optimal clothing will greatly enhance your overall travel experience.

II. Essentials

Besides clothing, there are a few essential items that every trip needs, regardless of its nature or destination. Some of the most important things to pack are toiletries, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and soap, and deodorant. Men should remember to pack a razor and shaving cream (Make sure this goes in your checked baggage if you are flying) and women should bring any makeup and hair products they intend to use. Valid currency or a credit card as well as ID should always be brought in a wallet or purse, as well as sunscreen and sunglasses for potentially sunny weather. A good rule of thumb to use here is to bring anything you use every day.

III. Extras

This is the most open-ended category, and much like clothing will vary greatly depending on your location. Beachfront locations may warrant packing swimsuits and other swimming gear. Packing a good book or two is always a good idea for downtime, as well as during travel time. Other sources of entertainment to consider bringing include DVDs and CDs, portable gaming devices, tablets, and headphones or earbuds. Tech essentials such as a phone charger and laptop are also important, especially if you plan on keeping up with work while away. Anything that you believe may enhance your travel experience falls under this category.

One of the most stressful aspects of travel is knowing that your home and all of your valuables are left relatively unguarded during your trip. Many people neglect to plan for this in their travel preparations, and some will end up losing their valuable belongings. Here are some quick tips to prevent this from happening.

I. Hire a House-sitter

House-sitters are readily available online and are becoming much more affordable. An excellent house-sitter will be able to maintain your household, take care of any pets, and prevent theft or burglary from occurring. Merely having someone continue to occupy your home can be a surprisingly effective burglary deterrent.

II. Install and Maintain a Security System

Security systems are so common in households these days for a reason. They are simple, affordable, and very effective. Most of the time, clearly posted signs or cameras will serve as a deterrent to prevent crimes from taking place at all, but in the unfortunate circumstance that one does occur, they allow the owner to track down the perpetrator and potentially recover their valuable belongings! These systems can easily be purchased online, and are often installed by the company, requiring almost no work to obtain.

III. Self Storage Systems

No matter how well protected your household may be, it will always be vulnerable to break-ins or theft. There is no way to completely burglar-proof a home, and this is the reason why storage systems offered by companies like Minibox Self Storage can be so useful. Minibox allows you to rent an air-conditioned, spacious unit at affordable prices to provide guaranteed protection of your valuables while you’re away. Not only does it provide security, but also allows for a more effective home organisation by giving you more free space in your own home.

With a variety of locations all around Hong Kong, it is easy to find the nearest Minibox and stow away your possessions in a matter of minutes. Its features such as 24-hour surveillance, PIN-protected safe, and active security provide you with ultimate peace of mind while you’re away, so you can relax without worrying about your stuff at home.

In conclusion, there are a variety of factors to consider when planning for any trip, but the easiest way to make any trip stress free is to use Minibox Self Storage service in Hong Kong for more effective home organisation and to protect your belongings better. Its combination of simplicity, convenience, and robust and reliable security provide ultimate peace of mind for any travel trip. Don’t leave your possessions vulnerable while you’re away — rent a Minibox storage unit and keep them safe!